A Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Model of Habitat as a Predictor of Biodiversity

Authors(s): D. Debinski, M. Jakubauskas and K. Kindscher

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: annual report

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Abstract: Objectives In 1992, we initiated an interdisciplinary project entitled "Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Montane Meadows and Biodiversity in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem." Our research team has been developing predictive species assemblage models based upon landscape level habitat analysis (e.g., Debinski and Humphrey, 1997; Debinski et al. 1999; 2000; Kindscher et al., 1998; Jakubauskas et al., 1996;1998; Jakubauskas and Debinski, 1995). The goal was to use intensive, local field sampling to extrapolate species distribution patterns within a region. The hypothesis was that plant and animal locations could be predicted by analyzing spectral reflectance characteristics as recorded by satellite multispectral scanners. This research was originally conducted in the northwest corner of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and then expanded to the Grand Teton National Park in 1996. Grants from the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and three universities have supported our work. Our sampling sites were identified using remotely sensed classification of the montane meadow habitats. Six meadow types were identified using a GIS to stratify the study area by topography and geology. Field sampling was used to collect data on the distribution of plant, bird, and butterfly species. We sampled extensively for four summers (1997-2000) in two regions of the ecosystem: the northern region included the Gallatin National Forest and northwestern portion of Yellowstone National Park (Gallatins); the southern region included Grand Teton National Park (Tetons). These two regions are 192 km apart, but have very similar plant and animal communities. Twenty-five sample sites were located in the Tetons and thirty sample sites were located in the Gallatins during 1997. These were termed "core sites" and were sampled during each of the four years. Additional sites were added in later years (including up to 65 sites per region), but we have focused the efforts during 2001 on these core sites. Our previous research showed that montane meadow communities can function as early indicators of environmental change because they are highly sensitive to variations in precipitation and temperature (Debinski et al. 1999; 2000; Kindscher et al., 1998; Jakubauskas et al., 1998;). However, the rarity and low abundances of some of the species have limited our understanding of these patterns. Thus, additional data will allow us to expand upon our understanding of these groups as indicators. We believe that the plant, bird, and butterfly communities may be some of the best indicators of environmental change in the GYE. Continued surveys of the plant, bird and butterfly taxa will allow us to quantify the year-to-year variation in species abundances and distribution patterns. These data are critical if we hope to differentiate between natural background fluctuations and real changes caused by climate change. We are drafting a manuscript that summarizes the results of the work that we have been conducting on biodiversity assessment techniques using remotely sensed and on the ground data from 1997-2001 on birds, butterflies, and plants in GYE montane meadows.? We are finalizing a publication that summarizes the comparison of our biodiversity assessment techniques to that of the Wyoming and Montana GAP analysis work (Su et al.).? Drs. Diane Debinski and James Pritchard finished their manuscript, "A Complete Guide to Butterflies of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem" to be published by Roberts Rinehart Publishers.? Dr. Debinski collaborated with Dr. Paul Opler, author of the Peterson's Guide to Butterflies, to create a current list of butterflies of Grand Teton National Park. This list will be linked to the Northern Prairie Biological Resources database on biodiversity across North America: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1999/insect/gteton.htm. The Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey located in Jamestown, North Dakota is compiling biodiversity data nationwide for this web page, and there were previously no listings for invertebrates of any kind in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. ? Dr. Debinski's graduate student, Amanda Hetrick, designed a web site to describe our research in the GYE to the general public. It may be found here: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~ahetrick/prototype/homepage.html

Keywords: Grand Teton National Park, animal, bird, Aves, ornithology, butterfly, lepidoptera, insect, Insecta, entomology, habitat, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Yellowstone National Park, population